© SeventhDayChurchOfGOD.NET 2021

James deals with the same questions Job had, and gives us very practical advice:

Why and how temptations arise – from our own lusts

How is GOD involved – Ask God for wisdom and pray while we count it all joy...

What is going on up there – God knows all about our needs and Jesus overcame all temptations

Why do good people have trouble – God is the source of Blessings seek Him, not the flesh  Why do people misunderstand – We need to listen to God, and seek Godly advice from Elders

What is the truth – God’s Word and Spirit is Truth, HE will guide us....   We need to see the differences between personal salvation and the greater picture --between the OT and NT, and Between Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. The picture has changed for Believing, Spirit Filled Christians and will yet change with the fullness of each step we take closer to God...

NT, we have JESUS, Who took away the curse of The Law and defeated sin and death on our behalf.

The trouble with any analysis of Job, is that Christians now serve The LORD and are subject to His discipline and scourging. There seems a Great Confusion about this.

— What causes sickness? Curses   Disobedience   Eating wrong, etc

— What is sin?  -Falling Short of the mark  -Rebellion against GOD’s Word   -Whatever is Not of Faith

— Can we hear from GOD? YES if we listen.

— What purpose serves The Law?

 Is The Holy Spirit directing our obedience or is The Law — Read Galatians and Romans. Who do we serve - how is HE Leading? The Law is a shadow pattern of what God desires for us.

— What about The Sabbath and The Feasts?

  The NT gives no direct command to observe The Sabbaths but rather directs toward the blessings man can have through love and obedience when we walk in The Spirit. (The Sabbaths are blessings not curses.)

The Controversy exists only when Believers loose fellowship with God. Thus confusion, double mindedness and trials are not resolved easily. The controversy will end when a Believer comes into fellowship as James, Ephesians, 1 John and Hebrews reveal.

Job reveals the trouble when even a godly man has no direct fellowship with God. Moses had direct fellowship but he did not have Jesus’ sacrifice and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Moses fell terribly short of the high mark when he struck The Rock the second time. Yet Moses was there with Elijah on The Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus when God revealed The Glory of His Son.

James reveals the NT difference, when a Christian has direct fellowship with God and lives among others who have Faith with God in Christ Jesus. James reveals Christians have no problem with the devil if they will only draw near to God and resist the devil. Trials and troubles may come but God gives instantly, a way of escape and victory with wisdom and healing.... When we seek Him.

The stark contrast between Job and James can be seen with respect to James’ Faithful Elders who can be asked to pray for those who have lost touch with a direct answer or direct conversation about healing.... And even if they have committed any (unspoken) sin, it shall be forgiven them.

James 5: Your prayers should suffice but if needed, Request the elders to pray in Faith… the Prayers of a righteous man avails much....